Press Releases

Statement Regarding Religious Liberty

"Today, as directed by President Trump’s May 4, 2017 Religious Liberty Executive Order, Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued guidance for how to interpret religious liberty in federal law. For too long, religious individuals and organizations have been facing crippling fines and stifling regulations when simply trying to live out their religious beliefs. Now, the Department of Justice places the burden back on the federal government to interpret the law in light of the fact that, as the guidance states, “Religious liberty is not merely a right to personal religious beliefs or even to worship in a sacred space. It also encompasses religious observance and practice.”

I have previously introduced legislation to free houses of worship from the Johnson Amendment, and am pleased that the guidance prohibits the IRS from enforcing the Johnson Amendment. This misguided amendment has had a chilling effect on clergy from voicing any opinions that may venture into the political realm.

The DOJ guidance, along with new Health and Human Services Interim Final regulations issued today, also provides a religious and moral exemption to the still-standing HHS contraception mandate. This mandate has forced the Little Sisters of the Poor and other religious organizations to pay for contraception through their health care plans, even though doing so would explicitly violate their religious convictions, or face crippling fines. Now, courts can issue rulings for these beleaguered groups in light of this sensible religious exemption.

The freedom of Americans to practice – or not practice – any faith of their choosing is foundational to our very identity. The guidance is a welcome relief for many who have been unfairly discriminated against because of their religious beliefs under the previous administration."